Fort Bragg soldier flees to Canada [Traitor alert!]

Independent Weekly ^ | February 11, 2004 | Patrick O'Neill

[Johnny_Cipher]

Before enlisting, Hinzman said he was searching for some meaning in his life, and the military--which had a "higher purpose"--was better than working just for the sake of making a buck. "I guess I just kind of sold my soul for the college money," he said.

Hmmmm.

As I recall, the stated "legal" fig leaf that draft dodgers used to avoid extradition from Canada back to the US during the Vietnam era was that Canada has no law against the practice. However, Canada surely has laws against knowingly signing a contract in bad faith (in this case, a contract to receive funding for college from the US taxpayer in return for serving in the military for a set period of time). In other words, fraud.

I say extradite this traitorous coward back to the land of the big PX and prosecute him for fraud.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Culturally lost.

[Mr. Silverback]

Quakers living in the U.S. made contacts in Ontario, and the family was set up with places to stay until they moved into a Toronto apartment on Feb. 1.

Traitors. Can we find out how to get these people prosecuted?

[Modernman]

There are plenty of stories from WWII and other wars of devout pacifists serving as stretcher-bearers, medics, nurses etc. The fact is, if this guy really was morally opposed to killing another human being, there are many ways for him to finish his service without having to fire on anyone. I personally have no problems with pacifists or true conscientious objectors. However, this guy doesn't seem to fall into these categories.

This is pure politics. He doesn't like the administration and he doesn't like the war. Fine. However, running off to Canada seems like an incredibly stupid thing to do, considering that he had other options.

[antiRepublicrat]

Canada will only extradite an accused murderer facing the death penalty back to the US if the relevant US prosecutor agrees not to seek the death penalty.

They had a Law & Order on that one. They wanted the death penalty for a murderer, but Canada wouldn't extradite. However, the guy did steal a car to drive up to Canada so they requested extradition for that.

[Mo1]

One of his many problems it seems

[Modernman]

Traitors. Can we find out how to get these people prosecuted?

It does seem like they were aiding the flight of a felon. That assumes, of course, that this guy actually gets charged for desertion or whatnot.

[Buckeye McFrog]

this young man better check with his lawyer...I believe the US and Canada signed a treaty last year stating that neither country will accept refugee applications from the other....

[Britton J Wingfield]

Hinzman admits he got in over his head. When he joined the Army, he said he was expecting Al Gore to be elected president.

[Grumpy Bear]

and his choice to not eat meat

I think I found the root of his problem.

[clintonh8r]

Canada is the perfect place for this steaming turd.

[Howlin]

When he joined the Army, he said he was expecting Al Gore to be elected president.

He's a dumba$$, too!

From the other article: He enlisted on Jan. 17, 2001

[cmak9]

but I think that really does put that mindset in a soldier that they're killers."

Duh.

[Publius6961]

Just make him pay back the money the taxpayers ponied up for his college education, in return for a man's promise.
Dock his pay/welfare payments forever, if necessary.

[aculeus]

His fellow soldiers were weirded out by his meditation regimen and his choice to not eat meat.

I'm "weirded out" by a journo using "weirded out".

[Modernman]

although I won't deny I was known as the liberal, and this is in a culture where everybody watches Fox News

So what? Who says liberals can't be good soldiers? I doubt anyone in the military cares about your political views if you're a good soldier.

What a cop-out.

[verity]

The army is better of without him AND HIS FAMILY!

[dansangel]

What a cop-out.

Exactly. It is common knowledge that love of country can and does cross political affiliation.

[metesky]

What a liar this guy is.

From this story:

When he joined the Army, he said he was expecting Al Gore to be elected president.

From the story in your link:

He enlisted on Jan. 17, 2001, leaving Ms. Nguyen -- they had married a few weeks earlier -- in Boston while he did his basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia.

If he enlisted on 1/17/01 thinking OwlGore would be president he's really to stupid for the army anyway.

[Born Conservative]

Canada has a strong extradition treaty with the US. Anyone accused of an offense in the US, which is also considered an offence in Canada (IE murder, assault, desertion) is subject to arrest and extradition back to the US.

It will be interesting to see whether this happens; it seems as though his whereabouts are either known or easily found.